Palma discharged, Vidal admitted to same hospital

WHILE Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma was discharged from the hospital, his predecessor was admitted to the same hospital on the same day last Thursday.

Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Cebu archdiocese, said Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal felt dizzy and experienced chest pains last Thursday morning.

“We shall be praying for better health. It’s part of the aging process,” said Dakay in reference to Vidal.

The 81-year-old Vidal celebrated his 27th anniversary of his elevation to the cardinalate yesterday. He was supposed to grant an interview with reporters inside his residence at the Sto. Niño Village in Banilad, Cebu City.

But the interview was cancelled since Vidal is still confined at the Perpetual Succour Hospital.

Palma is resting at the Archbishop’s Residence along Jakosalem Street in Cebu City after he spent four days in the hospital. He experienced coughs, colds, and fever last weekend.

The 62-year-old Palma was unable to attend liturgical services during the Holy Week after he was rushed to the hospital following severe stomach pain on April 3. He was operated on right away.

Palma took over the seat of the Cebu Archdiocese on Jan. 13, 2011, from Vidal whose retirement was approved by Pope Benedict XVI the year before. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol